The Associated Press issued a mea culpa Wednesday after it was criticized for releasing a photo earlier this week that showed Republican presidential Mitt Romney bending over while a seemingly astonished schoolgirl gawked at him from behind.

In 2008 critics also took both the Reuters and Associated Press to task when photos of then-vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin's legs and high heels were featured in photos and young male supporters appeared to be looking up her skirt.

The most egregious photo came from Reuters photographer Carlos Barria. Reuters ran this caption with the photo: "A supporter listens to Republican vice presidential nominee Alaska Governor Sarah Palin during a rally in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania October 8, 2008. REUTERS/Carlos Barria."